The Apostles Matthew and Simon: One Under the Gospel (4)

Simon and Matthew: One in Christ

What can we learn from Matthew and Simon together? It may not be so apparent to us since there is so little spoken of these men. Let us quickly do a review of their titles. Matthew was a publican. This would have made him a Roman official/employee to some extent. This would have made him a supporter of the Roman government. Simon was a former member of the Zealotes. This would have put him at odds with the Roman government. He was once part of a group that literally wanted to overthrow them.

These men should have been the greatest of enemies. How could one who worked with the Romans and one who worked against them coexist in one cohesive group? Enemies can be reconciled together in Christ. These two would not look at the other as a publican or a Zealot but as a follower of Christ. In fact, one of the purposes behind the death of Christ was to tear down the wall of partition which kept man separated. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:13-16). There was once a wall or partition which stood between the Jews and Gentiles. While Christ died on the cross He was able to take the two side and make them “one.” It is from these two men that we learn about the power of the cross. Verse 16 speaks of “enmity.” This means “deep seated ill will” or hatred. Without the cross of Christ, these two men should have been the worst of enemies. But we notice another word. That word is “reconcile.” Vine defines it as “to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile.” Think of two high schoolers who were once the best of friends but something changed in that relationship. Whereas they were once close, now they are apart from each other. Time passes and the two begin to talk and work things out. Having worked out the problems the two have reconciled and are friends again. The death of Christ was so that man could be reconciled to God. There must also be reconciliation between man and man.  Those differences which would set us apart are to disappear.

All who are in the body of Christ are to be one. Sadly, there are individuals who claim to be followers of Christ and yet will base judgment based upon the physical or social distinctions.

A good friend once told this author about his grandfather, a preacher of the gospel. The congregation where his grandfather preached was an “all white” congregation. There was a congregation nearby which was “all black” and was coming close to closing its doors. There was a meeting with the congregation amongst the men as to whether or not the two congregations would integrate as one. Some argued yes. Some argued no. During the entire meeting this preacher sat in silence. Finally, someone asked him his opinion on the subject to which he responded, “What color are their souls?”

Why do we allow someone’s looks or financial status affect the way we think of them? Everyone has a soul which is important to God. Christ’s death on the cross was done to destroy those barriers. If there are individuals who have obeyed the gospel those same ones are in the one body of Christ. Those things which would cause hatred should be destroyed. There is no greater force in the cosmos which is so powerful to be able to bring two warring factions together.

The Apostles Matthew and Simon: One Under the Gospel (3)

Matthew – Forsook All to Follow Jesus

One reads of Matthew’s call to follow Jesus in three verses.

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him” (Mat 9:9).

“And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him” (Mar 2:14).

While it is not states explicitly, it is probably that Matthew had heard Jesus’ preaching on previous occasions. Having believed what he had heard, it was no problem for Matthew to follow Christ.

“And after these things he went forth, and beheld a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll, and said unto him, “Follow me. And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him” (Luke 5:27-28, ASV).

We are told that Matthew “forsook all” to follow after Jesus. That is “to leave behind, the idea of abandonment” (Strong’s). He willingly abandoned his office of Publican and all that was connected to it in order to follow Jesus.

Quickly, let us notice some of the earthly blessings that were connected to being a Publican. He would have had a good income. Granted, this income would have come at the cost of the many he would have defrauded in order to get such gain. This would have afforded Matthew the ability to afford a great home. “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them” (Luke 5:29). While the size of his home was unknown, it was large enough to hold a “great number of publicans and of others.” He also would have had enough money to afford great, sumptuous feasts. Incidentally, we notice Who else was present to this great feast. It was likely the case that Matthew wanted his fellow publicans and friends to meet the One who changed his life for the better. Being a publican would have, to an extent, been a position of power for Matthew as he was a Roman official. What would have been the cost of all this power and money? His eternal soul. He more than likely earned these physical blessings through corrupted means.

He was willing to give up all of that to follow after the Christ. “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matt. 5:29-30). This is not an endorsement to self mutilation but encouragement to cut off those things which would keep us from Heaven. If there is something which would keep me from Heaven, it does not need to be a part of my life. If it is a part of my life, it will be a stumbling block to my soul. It is better off for us to be without it in the long wrong. Matthew was willing to give up a lucrative job because he wanted to be a follower of Christ and he could not do that with the job he had.

This writer once heard about a man who lived in the Philippines. This man wanted to become a Christian but was told by his father that by making such a decision he would be cut off from the inheritance. Did I mention that his father was a millionaire? This individual had to make a decision. Do I lose my family or do I lose my soul? He chose to follow after Christ. Is there is anything in the life of a follower of Jesus which would keep them from properly following Him, we should cut those things out of our lives.

The Apostles Matthew and Simon: One Under the Gospel (2)

Matthew the Publican

He is mentioned by the name Matthew in five different verses. He is mentioned with Thomas in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; and Luke 6:15. He is mentioned with Bartholomew in Acts 1:13. Matthew 9:9 mentions his call to follow Jesus. Matthew was his Grecian name. It meant “Gift of Jehovah.” Mark and Luke record his leaving the position of publican using his Hebrew name “Levi” (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27-29).

Matthew held the office of Publican. A publican was a tax collector for the Roman government. These individuals were about as respected as tax collectors for the American government. The Jews hated those who were publicans. The tax collectors were hates because the collectors were themselves, Jewish. They were viewed as the Benedict Arnolds of their time period. They were turncoats against their own people. No one could understand how someone could agree to exact money from their own people for a foreign government. Publicans were viewed as very dishonest individuals. This is because they were dishonest individuals. If there was an opportunity to cheat someone out of more money and get gain from the transaction, they would. Remember what Zacchaeus said when he stood before Jesus. “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” (Luke 19:8) He is, in essence, saying that he will right any wrong he has committed against his fellow man. Theocritus, a Greek poet, being asked which was the cruelest of all beasts, answered, “Among the beasts of the wilderness, the bear and the lion; among the beasts of the city, the publican and the parasite.” It is even said that the publicans were not allowed to enter into the temple, synagogues, engage in public prayers, or give a public testimony in a court of justice.

It is unknown exactly where Matthew preacher later in his lifetime. Some say that he preached in Ethiopia, Persia, or in other places. While history records the fact that he was martyred, we do not know how. Some say that he was burned, stoned, or beheaded.

Simon the Zealot

Simon in mentioned for times in the New Testament. None of these verses give us any idea of his character. Matthew 10:4 mentioned him as “the Canaanite” and he is mentioned with Judas Iscariot. Mark 3:18 refers to him as “the Canaanite.” This does not mean he was from the land of Canaan. Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13 give us a better idea of its meanings. In these two verses he is mentioned as “the Zealote.”

Simon was part of a group who called themselves “The Zealotes.” Josephus, a Jewish historian, referred to this group as the “fourth philosophical sect” of the Jews. These were individuals who hated the Roman government. They thought it was a high crime for a Jew to pay tribute to the Romans. Judas, a Gaulonite thought that “taxation was no better an introduction to slavery.” They believed that rebellion was the act of every patriotic Jew. The group started out well enough with moderate actions but grew to an extremely violent group of individuals who were thought as being no better than assassins. In fact, the actions of these men became so extreme that it is thought by some that the Zealotes were one of the reasons Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.

There is not much known about Simon. We do not know the areas where he preached later in life. We know nothing of his death or his early life.

These are two men whom Christ chose to be His apostles. While they are extremely different in character there is much we can learn from their lives.

The Apostles Matthew and Simon: One Under the Gospel (1)

There are times in which one can look at a couple and think, “They really complement each other.” It could be a married couple who have been together for a good many years. It could be two friends with personalities and interests which work well for the two. These are individuals who get along so well that everyone takes note of them. It could be because of the similarities which they have. It could also be because of the differences which the two possess. Ever heard someone use the phrase “opposites attract” in reference to a husband and wife who are polar opposites? The study of the apostles will be continues although this will be somewhat different from the past studies. Normally, the study has consisted of looking at one apostle and what can be learned from his life. This article will present two different apostles to study. These two men were polar opposites before they followed the Christ. At the end, these men were able to complement each other although different. One may think of the brothers James and John (Luke 9:54). While these two men were alike in mind in many areas, our study will not be of them. Would one think of Peter and his brother, Andrew?  Their differences complimented the other. Peter was more so one would speak up and stand out in the forefront. Andrew was one who was more silent and seemed to be more content to be in the background than his brother. Instead, our study will consist of two men whose words are never recorded in the New Testament but their lives are filled with lessons.

Thought of the Week: I Advocate Murder!

Have I got your attention? Good. Before I go any further I want it known that I do not mean that I advocate the murder of innocent human beings (Exo. 20:13; Pro. 6:17). In the proper context, there is a time when the act of murder is needed. Take a moment to read Colossians 3:5-6. Did you do it? Notice that word “mortify”? The Greek word means “to make dead, to put to death, to slay.” It gives the idea of something being cut off from your life for good. Paul basically said, “Since you are dead to the world and hidden in Christ, these actions should be put to death.” That being said, Christians should be advocates of murder. The murder of sin. Have you cut it off from your life?